Salty Dog closed

What a crock!!! :angry:

There is absolutely no reason it needed to escalate to this point.

There are a variety of solutions ranging from earplugs to erecting noise buffers/barriers to reduced hours for music to NOT BUYING A HOUSE NEXT TO A BAR.

Instead people turned to violence and caused the closing of a much needed and well liked restaurant and bar.

There are a lot of critters in the area but the idea of folks getting together to encourage one of them (the critters) to put a knife in a guy is really, really weird. That is a heck of a stretch imo. If there were $ to be made then some sort of arrangement would be reached i.e noise barriers etc..Plus Stan seems to be a code enforcement magnet . It is all ludicrous if one takes a few steps back.

is this the same property that Satly Dawg's sits on?


10/01/2008 REAL PROP OR MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE
PENDING
[PLAINTIFF=THE BANK OF JACKSON COUNTY
DEFENDANT=BEEBE, JOHN H. DEFENDANT=BEEBE, LORA DIPOMA DEFENDANT=30-A RESTAURANT GROUP, INC. ]
[JUDGE=LAPORTE, W HOWARD]


BEEBE JOHN H.
BANK OF JACKSON COUNTY THE
10/1/2008
LIS PEN
OR 2802
4067
LOTS 1-5 BLK E GULFVIEW HEIGHTS S/D & LOTS 37 & 38 QUAIL RIDGE ESTATES LAKE ADD.
1055589

my husband and i looked at the middle house back behind saltys last year. i specifically remember the real estate agent telling us that if the bar ever opened back up, it could be good or bad...depending on the type of people who got the house. We have two young children so not so good for us. However, a single person, roomates or any nightowls may have liked to have a place so close (and with great food and resonable drink prices!) within walking distance....
A lot of things go through your mind when buying/renting a home...location is everything right? you think about being close to the beach, schools, and so on and so forth...not saying they deserve it for being by a bar, i just know that i totally thought it through......
Hopefully things will work out, as the place was originally opened by the owner saying it was a staple in our communnity, and it deserved to be reopened. Best of luck to you in The Lake Place, and we will await the re reopen!

Ok...Wow,lot's of mixed opinions here.Alot have good points several have no idea what they are talking about. That place has been closed down for quite some time before the owner opened up Salty's. There are 2 rental properties and one owner and a vacant house on Vicki st behind Salty's. They didn't have a clue what could go there when they rented the place. Perhaps a restaurant that closed way before 2 in the morning. I loved Salty's too,perhaps my hubby loved it a little to much I thought it was a great place for locals to get some food and beverages for a reasonable price. And darn good food too. There has got to be a way to work out the noise issue so that Salty's can open again. Maybe try to close earlier or turn down the speakers for the bands. I've been in there several times with bands playing and you can't even barely hear the person next to you! I don't mean to step on anyone's toes,just trying to get everyone to see all sides of the situation. And for crying out loud CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG

Well I'm sorry to see the Salty Dog go. However I am shocked and appalled at people once again condoning severe physical violence over an issue that did not warrant it. I don't care if you bought the house directly behind it a month ago and the realtor lied and said it was an abandoned building heading for demolition; or that you rented it and didn't have the where with all to contact your landlord to be moved or terminate the lease. It still gives no one a right to pull a knife or threaten you with a gun! Personally I'd rather live in a bedroom adjacent to the stage in Salty Dog than live in an area that has gone from zero violent crime in past years to a shocking, sudden, and disturbing incident over night.

diamondD, I showed those houses on Vickie St as recent as several months ago. They were unoccupied. They are currently available for rent. I understand what you are saying about the potential for someone going to look at the house in the day time, or while the restaurant/bar was not in operation, then buying or renting it, not knowing the potential. That is why it is important to have a good Realtor to point out those kinds of potential. I've also shown the cheaply priced lot on Vickie St, adjacent to Cafe Tango, and directly behind the back porch of Salty Dog. Even if Salty Dog was another Cafe Tango type restaurant, anyone considering purchasing that property to build their home, would have to think about the worst possibility in the future. Surely, they could recognize the potential for the owners to sell or change the type of commercial biz to a late night bar. I can sympathize with the people in the neighborhood would want peace and quite, and I do believe there should be some expectation of their right to enjoyment of low noise. However, I have to ask what they were thinking when they purchased in a neighborhood which has commercial restaurant/bars type properties as part of the neighborhood. Those people didn't seem to make much of a voice when, about six months ago, another property owner and his mother, owning on 30A, in that sub-division, applied for a zoning change for their two lots, allowing for mixed-use. They were granted the request. The applicant noted the other commercial uses along 30A in that specific area, and stated that 30A was a transitional buffer from the residential properties behind it. I believe there were three people who spoke in opposition, and there didn't appear to be others in opposition in the audience from what I could tell.

gayboi, I believe I read that the person who was charged with aggravated assault with attempted felony, was trying to stab Stan (the manager) after being told that he couldn't smoke inside. That sounds like a completely different issue than the noise, just coincidentally at the same time all this other crap is going down.

From my observations, I don't know Stan that well, but I see him around town fairly often, and I've always enjoyed talking with him. He is always very level-headed, and very calm-natured. I really cannot see him raising the music volume after being asked to hold it down via a phone call from neighbors (as was reported in the news). It isn't his nature. I have personally seen Stan with his noise meter and clipboard, going out to the property boundary of Salty Dog, to record noise volume. When I asked what he was doing, he said it was a proactive measure which he chose to do, after hearing complaints of noise from neighbors. He said that he checked the volume regularly (maybe every 30 minutes or hour, I cannot recall) and kept a log of it. I was at the Old Salty Dog during one night of the Blueground Undergrass show. It is from one of those nights that Stan (the manager) had a warrant due to noise violation. I can say that the music was loud inside, but from outside, I really couldn't hear it. I believe the noise is coming, not from the music, but from the people who sit outside on the deck. (the only place people are allowed to smoke.) I can say this, from the deck outside, I cannot hear the music being played inside. The back deck used to be open on the side facing Vicki St. Since the complaints, they have changed that. I can understand if the music is too loud, because that is something which can be adjusted by turning a knob or two. However, that isn't the issue, as I understand it. I cannot understand how the Manager could be arrested because individual people on the deck are loud. The manager has no knobs to turn, to quieten them. It would be laughable at best for the mgr to ask bar patrons to be quiet while they smoke outside.

I cannot understand how the Manager could be arrested because individual people on the deck are loud. The manager has no knobs to turn, to quieten them. It would be laughable at best for the mgr to ask bar patrons to be quiet while they smoke outside.

This might have been the case that prompted the knife incident between the manager and the Alabama smoker .

.

SJ you make good points. I we looked at the last house on the right off Vicki,even at night and decided not to buy because of not just the noise but because it was comercial property. It is just a wierd place for houses to be amungst commercial properties. That whole thing should be reworked for zoning.

You are right about that, Vicki St is a wierd street for houses. I think Vicki Street would function better as an alley for the five commercial pieces where Salty Dog sits. With Salty Dog sitting on five lots, there is potential for five bars to be across the street from the houses on Vicki.

Walton County's Planning and Zoning at its best!

Swallow hard and reopen Jim

I am sad to hear you are closing "The Dog" Jim. I have ton of respect for you as a fellow restaurant operator and friend. My suggestion is to reopen with no live music. It is that simple. People love your place. You have created a loyalty that is rare in a short time because of your quality of food and staff. I truly think you will keep the late night crowd with great music inside at a volume that will keep the neighbors from controlling your business. Close up the outdoor porch and air condition it so there will no longer be crowd noise. The Salty Dog previously was successful with that format and there is no reason you can't do the same. And besides, I need a place to go when I want to party elsewhere on 30-A and I LOVE THE DOG. You have invested far to much money, time and heart to walk away. Just my two cents. Dave

I am sad to hear you are closing "The Dog" Jim. I have ton of respect for you as a fellow restaurant operator and friend. My suggestion is to reopen with no live music. It is that simple. People love your place. You have created a loyalty that is rare in a short time because of your quality of food and staff. I truly think you will keep the late night crowd with great music inside at a volume that will keep the neighbors from controlling your business. Close up the outdoor porch and air condition it so there will no longer be crowd noise. The Salty Dog previously was successful with that format and there is no reason you can't do the same. And besides, I need a place to go when I want to party elsewhere on 30-A and I LOVE THE DOG. You have invested far to much money, time and heart to walk away. Just my two cents. Dave

Well said Dave...

I agree Dave. It is just that simple,or so it seems that it would be. Please open Salty's back up,for the locals. We had such grayt times there! And i'll be able to get my hubby out of the house more!

Thanks Jim! I will be eating at Stinky's ASAP!!!

Same here! I hope to see you there.

i don't agree that you are signing away your rights when you move near a restaurant, etc. there is such a term as "reasonableness". i had the misfortune of sleeping at our son's house in louisville one night that is a couple of doors down from some bars & restaurants. louisville permits these places to stay open until 4 a.m. as you can imagine, i got about an hour of sleep. in my opinion, it isn't reasonable for places to stay open that late, even until 2 a.m. lets be honest...the people still out that late are drinking alcohol and getting on our roads and driving. those late hours just lets them do it longer. i don't think cutting off music at 10 pm or maybe 11 pm is unreasonable if you are located near residences. i'm all for musicians supporting their livelihood but there has to be compromise. if the noise is coming from loud people in parking lots, security personnel can solve that problem.

I think it is reasonable for restaurants to stay open as late as they need to, to serve customers. 4 am makes sense to me in many places. I guess you don't like NYC!

IMO, this issue stems from people moving to this area because they love it, then trying to change it once here. We locals have seen this time and time again. The Salty Dog has been a venue for live music and good times for YEARS. Those complaining about the music brought it on themselves by moving to that location. The Dog was there long before any of those out-of-towners moved in. They just need to go back to Atlanta, or wherever the hail they come from and take their nasty attitudes with them!

diamondD, I showed those houses on Vickie St as recent as several months ago. They were unoccupied. They are currently available for rent. I understand what you are saying about the potential for someone going to look at the house in the day time, or while the restaurant/bar was not in operation, then buying or renting it, not knowing the potential. That is why it is important to have a good Realtor to point out those kinds of potential. I've also shown the cheaply priced lot on Vickie St, adjacent to Cafe Tango, and directly behind the back porch of Salty Dog. Even if Salty Dog was another Cafe Tango type restaurant, anyone considering purchasing that property to build their home, would have to think about the worst possibility in the future. Surely, they could recognize the potential for the owners to sell or change the type of commercial biz to a late night bar. I can sympathize with the people in the neighborhood would want peace and quite, and I do believe there should be some expectation of their right to enjoyment of low noise. However, I have to ask what they were thinking when they purchased in a neighborhood which has commercial restaurant/bars type properties as part of the neighborhood. Those people didn't seem to make much of a voice when, about six months ago, another property owner and his mother, owning on 30A, in that sub-division, applied for a zoning change for their two lots, allowing for mixed-use. They were granted the request. The applicant noted the other commercial uses along 30A in that specific area, and stated that 30A was a transitional buffer from the residential properties behind it. I believe there were three people who spoke in opposition, and there didn't appear to be others in opposition in the audience from what I could tell.

gayboi, I believe I read that the person who was charged with aggravated assault with attempted felony, was trying to stab Stan (the manager) after being told that he couldn't smoke inside. That sounds like a completely different issue than the noise, just coincidentally at the same time all this other crap is going down.

From my observations, I don't know Stan that well, but I see him around town fairly often, and I've always enjoyed talking with him. He is always very level-headed, and very calm-natured. I really cannot see him raising the music volume after being asked to hold it down via a phone call from neighbors (as was reported in the news). It isn't his nature. I have personally seen Stan with his noise meter and clipboard, going out to the property boundary of Salty Dog, to record noise volume. When I asked what he was doing, he said it was a proactive measure which he chose to do, after hearing complaints of noise from neighbors. He said that he checked the volume regularly (maybe every 30 minutes or hour, I cannot recall) and kept a log of it. I was at the Old Salty Dog during one night of the Blueground Undergrass show. It is from one of those nights that Stan (the manager) had a warrant due to noise violation. I can say that the music was loud inside, but from outside, I really couldn't hear it. I believe the noise is coming, not from the music, but from the people who sit outside on the deck. (the only place people are allowed to smoke.) I can say this, from the deck outside, I cannot hear the music being played inside. The back deck used to be open on the side facing Vicki St. Since the complaints, they have changed that. I can understand if the music is too loud, because that is something which can be adjusted by turning a knob or two. However, that isn't the issue, as I understand it. I cannot understand how the Manager could be arrested because individual people on the deck are loud. The manager has no knobs to turn, to quieten them. It would be laughable at best for the mgr to ask bar patrons to be quiet while they smoke outside.

Well put. It is always refreshing to hear common sense. Perhaps we should rezone the whole area commercial and seperate the two worlds. It isn't exactly a revolutionary idea. Anyone wanna buy commercial property by the Dog? We could call it music row.

I am sad to hear you are closing "The Dog" Jim. I have ton of respect for you as a fellow restaurant operator and friend. My suggestion is to reopen with no live music. It is that simple. People love your place. You have created a loyalty that is rare in a short time because of your quality of food and staff. I truly think you will keep the late night crowd with great music inside at a volume that will keep the neighbors from controlling your business. Close up the outdoor porch and air condition it so there will no longer be crowd noise. The Salty Dog previously was successful with that format and there is no reason you can't do the same. And besides, I need a place to go when I want to party elsewhere on 30-A and I LOVE THE DOG. You have invested far to much money, time and heart to walk away. Just my two cents. Dave

Jim,

There are several in the area the want the Dog back and we need to figure a way to make it happen. I would bet that we could have an old fashion barn raising....err...make that porch closing....by those that luv you and the Dog. Donations of time, expertise, materials should make this of little/no cost to you. You've put enough into it already.....

Let's have those on SoWal help you out and try to find a win/win situation for all....

If the porch gets enclosed, won't it have to be non-smoking too?

How about building a new "smoking" porch or patio next to the road so the building blocks the noise from the princess-in-the-pea eared neighbors and their knife wielding renters?

IMO, this issue stems from people moving to this area because they love it, then trying to change it once here. We locals have seen this time and time again. The Salty Dog has been a venue for live music and good times for YEARS. Those complaining about the music brought it on themselves by moving to that location. The Dog was there long before any of those out-of-towners moved in. They just need to go back to Atlanta, or wherever the hail they come from and take their nasty attitudes with them!

Since transplants are being blamed for the closing of a newly rechristened watering hole, I feel compelled to defend them, I am a transplant also. There is basically one reason for a restaurant or business to shut down completely and it is not "noise complaints". As has been mentioned by several posters there are options that would resolve the issue. Does anyone not believe that were it financially warranted that one or more of these options would be implemented? Fostering ill-will towards your newish neighbors (the transplants) is needlessly divisionary.

Smokers lounge, like in the airport, a novel approach

Perhaps a "walk in cooler" smokers lounge would do the trick. Get a big walk in cooler, ventilate it, throw in some windows and "voila" an insulated, quiet smokers lounge. Used, they may be had for $4 to $6 K

Jim,

There are several in the area the want the Dog back and we need to figure a way to make it happen. I would bet that we could have an old fashion barn raising....err...make that porch closing....by those that luv you and the Dog. Donations of time, expertise, materials should make this of little/no cost to you. You've put enough into it already.....

Let's have those on SoWal help you out and try to find a win/win situation for all....

i have a drill...

"Will work for PoBoys"

You guys that love the dog don't despair, show your support by eating at Stinky's.

Love it, Dave! Reminds me of a smaller version of those smoking rooms in airports -- caged beasts. Smokers will have to go outside to get some fresh air. lol. I'm not a smoker, so when I laugh at myself when I'm at the Salty Dog, and go outside for fresh air. It takes only two seconds to realize that the fresher air is inside.